Guiding Principles

e following are the basic principles of DBSA, read by the facilitator as an opening statement at the start of each meeting.

DBSA is a support group for people with mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, or related illnesses. This chapter was founded to meet the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning persons with mood problems.

We also welcome you to invite your partners, friends, and family members, so they can become better educated and learn how to support you.

- DBSA embraces the recovery model. We believe that how we feel today can change, and that with our own efforts, the help of our medical team, and the support of friends and family, we can lead more successful lives.

- We do our best to focus optimistically on positive changes we can make and those aspects of our lives that we have control over.

- We're here to share the air. One person should speak at a time. Please be polite and avoid interrupting someone who is speaking. Please refrain from side conversations while someone else has the floor.

- No one should dominate group time. And please be aware that if you do begin to dominate group time, at the expense of others being able to talk, I may step in and ask you to wrap up your comments. Everybody here should get time to talk.

- Kindly silence your cell phones, and please show the courtesy of not checking messages during the group. Everyone here deserves your close attention.

- What is said here stays here. This is the essential principle of confidentiality and must be respected by everyone. Please do not talk about group members outside of meetings, and be careful not to identify members of the group to nonmembers.

- We respect each other's boundaries. We respect each other’s right to privacy.

- We try to use "I" statements as much as possible, and not tell others what they must do. We avoid giving advice. For instance, instead of saying, "You should do X" we can say, "When I was in that situation, I tried doing X...". Only we know what is best for us, in consultation withour doctor and therapist. But each of us can speak from our own experiences.

- Please avoid using profanity or other disrespectful language.

- We accept differences in gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, and religious views, and promote their acceptance. However, we do not prescribe any religious or political viewpoints.

- We agree to respect diversity and treat one another with kindness and compassion. We also agree to respect each other’s preferred pronouns.

- Finally, nobody has to speak. Much can be gained just by listening. But don't hesitate to bring up your own issues or introduce a new topic, if you wish.

We will now go around the room and introduce ourselves. Please tell us your name. If you like, you may tell us your preferred pronouns, what brings you here, and how your week has been going. Please keep your introduction brief, and let us know if you would like to speak later inthe meeting.